'Star Wars'-Themed Church Service?

S

sermonindex Dec 18, 2015

A church will host an unusual pre-Christmas service on Sunday ”” with the "Star Wars" films put at the center of their worship.

Members of the congregation at Berlin's Zions Church will be greeted with the theme music from the blockbuster series and can expect to hear about "the juxtaposition of good and bad, light and dark" during the one-hour event, church minister Eva-Maria Menard told NBC News.

Short excerpts from trailers and the George Lucas movies will be shown on a screen below the pulpit.

Vicar Ulrike Garve said that the service will expose "the theological motives and parallels in the Star Wars episodes." ...

T

TMK Dec 18, 2015

Art Katz has used Shakespeare extensively in some of his sermons and he went to great lengths comparing Muhammad Ali's comeback training to the grit necessary to be a true disciple.

I don't think there is anything wrong with using movies etc to make spiritual points as long as it is done correctly. In fact I am sure it can be quite powerful.

Let's face it- many millions of Christians will go see Star Wars, me included. Might as well find spiritual parallels if we are able.

G

gators52 Dec 18, 2015

Just ridiculous.

D

dolfan Dec 18, 2015

I think that given the extreme interest in the series and themes, it would be useful to educate people biblically on the spiritual themes in SW. How best to do that? Well, clips help. I agree with TMK that it CAN be done correctly.

I don't believe turning a gathering of believers into a SW party is correct. I have been part of a church that was given to such tactics, did them as "well" as they could but they bore no fruit and were no materially different than a party.

BTW I am 48 and have never watched any of the Star Wars films fully. I do not care to. But, I liked the Matrix and it was nothing other than a visually rich, hi-tech sci-fi rip off of the New Testament.

S

sermonindex Dec 18, 2015

"Entertainment is the world's substitute for joy." -Leonard Ravenhill- and it is a distraction to a believer in Jesus. Watch and pray, for you know not when the time is. -Mark 13:33

S

sermonindex Dec 18, 2015

Quote: "comparing Muhammad Ali's comeback training to the grit necessary to be a true disciple. "
Paul wrote : 1 Corinthians 9 v 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
If a preacher has that verse in mind and then uses a sports person that is well know to the audience to further illustrate a point then i don't see much of a problem.

But Star Wars is different. God does not need any help from Hollywood!
"Most of your Hollywood celebrities and musical stars are members of a little known satanic cult group called Ordo Templi Orientis, or simply OTO."

"The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”
Leonard Ravenhill

Acts 2:42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers. 43 Fear came to every soul. And many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

T

TMK Dec 19, 2015

Y'all are too holy for me. God bless you!

P

proudpapa Dec 19, 2015

George Walton Lucas, Jr. (born May 14, 1944) is an Academy Award-winning Buddhist American film producer, screenwriter, director and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic Sci-Fi franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones. Today, Lucas is one of the American film industry's most financially successful independent directors/producers, with an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion.

In 1969, Lucas married film editor Marcia Lou Griffin, who went on to win an Academy Award for her editing work on the original Star Wars film. George and Marcia adopted a daughter, Amanda, in 1981, and divorced in 1984. Lucas has since adopted two more children: Katie, born in 1988, and Jett, born in 1993. All three of his children have appeared in the three Star Wars prequels, as has Lucas himself. Lucas had been in a long relationship with and engaged to singer Linda Ronstadt. He has been dating Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, since 2007 and she has accompanied him to several events including the 79th Academy Awards ceremony in February 2007, an American Film Institute event in October 2007 and the 2008 Cannes Film Festival held in May. He supported Barack Obama for President in 2008.

Lucas was born and raised in a strongly Methodist family. After inserting religious themes into Star Wars, he would eventually come to identify strongly with the Eastern religious philosophies he studied and incorporated into his movies, which were a major inspiration for "the Force." Lucas eventually came to state that his religion was "Buddhist Methodist." Lucas resides in Marin County.

http://religion.wikia.com/wiki/George_Lucas

T

TMK Dec 19, 2015

Ok-

Let's back up a tad here. No one (at least not me) is advocating showing star Wars in church as an evangelical tool. I have no doubts at all that Star Wars was NOT intended to be a Christian movie or even intended Christian undertones. Lord of the Rings and Narnia- yes. Star Wars, no.

The question, at least for me, is whether a movie like Star Wars can be used, especially with a certain element in today's population, to make spiritual points, or even to start a discussion along spiritual lines. Of course it can.

How about "Do you know there really is a "Force?" He's called the Holy Spirit."

Come on folks. Let's admit that you would make a lot more headway with a teenage Star Wars fan using that tactic than quoting Leonard Ravenhill. Leonard Ravenhill is awesome, but outside of this forum I am not sure that I have ever heard him mentioned.

G

ginnyrose Dec 19, 2015

What is wrong with the Scriptures that one has to resort to the works of evil men to attract people to the house of the LORD?

I suspect if one has to resort to evil men to bring people into your physical plant all they are doing is playing church. Hey! I think we children did far better when we were little and played church...

Just read in Exodus 34 where God issues stern warnings against his people adopting the ways of the heathen when they get to Canaan. This sentiment is repeated in the NT when it tells us to not love the world...

People just do not love the WORD. That is the bottom line. When I read, study the WORD I feel like God is saying, "Come with me I want to show you something." So, here I am, I have a ringside seat watching, observing what is being described in the text I am reading. I find myself being awed and amazed and left with a sense of seeing God and a huge "WOW"! Seeing a segment of "Star Wars" film in this context would be contaminating...

My God is bigger then that.

Sandra

D

dolfan Dec 19, 2015

No one here says use it to draw men to Christ. As TMK said, it can be used as a tool. For example, SW is a spiritually themed story. The Force is a being, or something beyond men. Why can we not take parts of SW films that are key to the role of the "force", open our bibles, sit down or even in SS classes or the like and critically examine how a believer should think of God and the spiritual realm? Is that wrong? How? Not as a popularity boost but BECAUSE of the popularity of SW-thinking it impacts believers.

L

lovejt Dec 19, 2015

I'll just say that if a Church is Spirit-led, not entertainment-based, and the leaders are walking in the Spirit.....then they can give a blessed message...even if they wanted to use 'Star Wars' as in analogy or parallel to bring out points in Scripture. Any movie, any situations and any experiences.

S

sermonindex Dec 19, 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
There are many responses here on this thread and mine is very serious because I am one who has "lost" a child to the seductions of many of these "entertainments" philosophies and idolatry. I don't really see any other words for these stories.
I was saved and born again in 1975. In 1977 I was being discipled in a small Baptist church where the Holy Spirit was moving mightily. I was baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit in 1977 and my life was radically changed. At the same time a couple of movies came out. Superman and Star Wars. As a young believer in Christ who was being changed from the inside out, I no longer wanted to go to these kinds of films, however I was a new believer, an American and a movie buff. A Christian man took me out to these movies and saw nothing wrong with them. Everything in me was battling!!!!The flesh vs. the Spirit no doubt.
I'm not blaming these films for anything except there was a compromise that began to come into the church in the young people where I was attending. A rift began to take place. If you are as old as I am you know what I'm talking about.

Over the years, I myself gave into "harmless" stuff and let my children indulge. My husband was not of the opinion that you had to look radical in your faith. We did not agree on much regarding these things and eventually he moved on and left the family.

As a single mother I was not always able to control what my last child watched or did. Gradually I gave into much of the worldly things because I was weary and tired and the churches we attended were not so willing to separate from the world. Many a youth group left my child confused and wary. My child soon considered her mother to be "legalistic" and hardline. And Satan did a good job of convincing me that I was a party pooper, a hypocrite and an unloving Christian.

I knew in my heart and by reading the Word and crying out to God that this was not true. The truth was I was jealous for the holiness of our God and wanting to share the good news that He heals the broken hearted, breaks the chains of bondage and brings us into a relationship with God that will make one say "Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere."

Many of you know what I'm talking about. Satan has been subtly and now not so subtly stealing the hearts of our children from loving the Word of God for a long time now.
I know what I'm talking about. The idols that have invaded my child's life (now 22 and living outside my home) would shock you. It shocks me. And I am on my face pleading to God for her salvation and deliverance.

This is a very disturbing things when we as Christians believe it is alright to let the very things that are destroying faith in God into our lives and saying that we can use it as "tool" to bring people to God.

No, this can never be. This morning I read in I Samuel when the Ark of the Covenant was stolen by the Philistines. They set it in their temple to Dagon, their god. When they went in to worship their god Dagon, the statue was fallen face forward before the Ark of the Covenant. This is the Power of GOD, not just then but now in the life of a believer who has the Living God within him because the Holy Spirit lives in us. The small god of "The force" of Starwars should fall face forward and break into a million useless pieces before our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. All glory and power to Him.

Am I angry? You bet I am. I'm angry that we have allowed Satan so much leeway in our lives and in our children's lives.

Today the Youth Group at the church I am attending is taking the teens to "Star Wars". Am I angry, yes!!!!!

Last week in our church we sang "Rise up O Men of God, Rise up O Women of Truth." Ok, I will. I know I will get pounded by the enemy, but I will also know that the God of the Universe will be pleased.

I exhort you all to rise up and stand up for the Truth, who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of David, Isaiah and Malachi, the God of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and Peter, the LIVING GOD who is above all other gods, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit...In Jesus Name I pray.

B

brothagary Dec 19, 2015

The force is the kudalundi or chi force from Hindu tradition ,,,I don't know how we can teach Christian principle from a movie about pagan principals ,,,,be like watching a witchcraft movie and saying magic is the same as prayer and miricals,,,,,,,,,poppy cock

O

Oracio Dec 19, 2015

Thank you sister Leslie for sharing your testimony and heart with us. It was very refreshing. I can relate to much of what you wrote having two little ones myself and trying to raise them in the Lord's way. A while back I decided to boycott Disney due to being convicted concerning their wicked subliminal messages in their movies, as well as Marvel and DC superheroes for the same reason; as well as certain Nintendo Wii video games. I think I must have trashed near a thousand bucks worth of toys and video games and was left with much fewer choices in toys and video games to buy my kids.

Regarding this new movie, here are a few excerpts from Christiananswers.net’s review of it to add to what proudpapa posted:

"We must too consider the idea of The Force, and how it differs drastically from the God of the Bible. The Force of "Star Wars” can essentially be summed up as an impersonal energy that permeates and exists in all matter, and that consists of both good and evil. The impersonal nature of The Force is reminiscent of the god Brahman inHinduism. Furthermore, Hindu teaching holds that Brahman exists in all material things, a teaching known as pantheism. The enigmatic Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o) at one point in this movie spells out the pantheistic nature of The Force saying that it "moves through and surrounds every living thing.” The concept of The Force consisting of both light and dark sides comes in part from the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism in which the ying and yang contain both opposing and balancing forces.
The God of the Bible stands in stark contrast to The Force of "Star Wars” in all of these areas; He is a personal being who created all things, yet He remains distinct and holy above His creation. He cares for His creation, but He is not to be confused with it. A person cannot simply tap into God as he may tap into The Force in the "Star Wars” universe. Rather, the biblical God is a transcendent personal being that a human being, created in His image, relates to by repenting and embracing Him as Lord, or by rebelling against Him.”
"Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Minor””"Oh my G*d” (1), "h*ll” (2), "d*mn” (1) / Sex/Nudity: Minor”

So we basically have a movie that has Buddhistic and Hinduistic overtones throughout, contains blasphemy and has minor nudity. I think that’s enough for Christians to NOT see it as entertaining. Yet there is so much compromise and desensitization and stifling of consciences within Christendom as a whole.

I agree that we do not need this Luciferian movie to preach the gospel. It is the gospel itself that is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, not some secular/Buddhistic and Hinduistic movie.

This is a clip of a brother I know who took advantage of the occasion to preach the gospel on the night of the premiere of this film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j5gP1_tAis

For those that disagree and still see this movie as something that is okay to use to spread the gospel, God bless you, I do believe that God can and does sometimes use such types of gospel presentations (though I’d say very minimally ;) ).

Y

yuehan Dec 19, 2015

Do you guys read stories (fiction and non-fiction), apart from the Bible?

Can you share those which you believe are OK for Christians to enjoy?

Books, movies, games...

B

brothagary Dec 20, 2015

I think you could watch star wars ,wile seeing it what it is rather then seeing it asBenin theme,,,,,,and knowing the whole world is under the sway of the evil one ,,,,,and so is basically every Hollywood move ,,,,shake your head at it wile seeing the subtly of satan ,,and think of how Christ will crush all worlds ideas and principles when he comes ....

O

Oracio Dec 20, 2015

Here's a church in the US doing this as well, this one on Christmas Eve:

http://www.liquidchurch.com/media-cosmic-christmas/

The name "Liquid Church" is very telling if you ask me, talk about watering things down.

J

JB1968 Dec 20, 2015

sounds apostate...sad

J

JHerndon Dec 20, 2015

Just came across this thread. I'm going to have to respectfully agree with TMK. I use to be a very legalistic individual. I rebuked some of my friends once for going to a country concert...wait for it... ON A SUNDAY!!! Let's not preach a gospel that we ourselves can't live up to. I think we as believers should be radical! Radical about the person Jesus Christ. I believe there is such a thing as personal convictions and we must be careful not to impose our convictions on others. Charles Spurgeon use to catch a lot of flack for smoking cigars and I love how he responded. Something along the lines of there are already 10 commandments and I have no intention of adding an 11th. Tonight before I go to bed I will smoke a cigar for the glory of God.If you feel as though you should refrain from seeing Star Wars then do so for the glory of God. I am going to go see Star Wars as soon as I get the chance and I will do so with the joy of the lord in my heart. Let me be clear, as a minister I would never have a Star Wars themed service. However I will not condemn someone who does. There is a correct way handle it if it is going to be done. God bless

O

Oracio Dec 20, 2015

Would you go to a movie if you knew they were going to be using your mother's name as a curse word in it? I'd guess that most here would answer no. If you are a child of God, how much worse is it when they use your heavenly Father's name as a curse word? Yet many Christians are willing not only to be entertained by such blasphemy but also to pay Hollywood for it.

S

sermonindex Dec 20, 2015

We need to try and be careful and fair at the same time when we discuss this topic. To personally go to a country concert on a Sunday and a Church using the "Star Wars" films at the center of their worship are totally different scenarios.

I would say my views what I can do on a Sunday are probably not legalistic, some might think even a bit liberal. Eg I like hiking in the mountains which can involve weekends away with non Christian friends . Is it good or bad ? I know I'm still learning and growing and the Lord has corrected me in many areas in the last few years.

I know a little bit about "Star wars " but I never had a desire to watch the full length . Now i have just done a bit more reading about Hollywood and how the devil is involved (you can call it "illuminati ")
Now i know that under no circumstances will i go and watch the movie and pay the devil!

What should a Church do? God tells us in His Word how the early believers came together. I have already quoted from Acts 2, note what it says in v43: "Fear came to every soul. And many wonders and signs were done through the apostles." We don't see this today anymore because we don't practice what it says in v42 ! To become "seeker friendly" is not the answer and under no circumstances should the devil's movie come into the church.

What about discussing and comparing?
Discussing the dangers of the movie, Yes.
Comparing the "force " with God - i would say No Way ! and I'm using mild words here. God said to Moses "I am who I am " -
"the name I AM WHO I AM is that God’s personality and power are owing solely to himself and to no other." (John Piper)

We all would like to see a new revival, a new manifestation of God's power.
We can not short cut what it says in Scripture and substitute His instructions with the devil's work.
Blessings

J

JHerndon Dec 20, 2015

Totally agree they are different scenarios. I was referring to those who had mentioned even going to watch the movie. Going to the concert and watching the movie I believe are the same scenario. And can I lovingly say that going to see a movie is not "paying the devil". Again be careful not to put your convictions on other people. If one is going to be this strict in this area then you have to be this strict in every area. If you claim that watching Star Wars for example is unholy then don't eat at McDonald's because your body is the temple and you are destroying it. Do you see how out of control it can get?

"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”
””1 Corinthians”¬ ”10:23”¬ ”NASB”¬”¬

Let clarify my tone because I don't want anyone to misread what I'm saying. This is post is with love in my heart. I'm not trying to be disrespectful to anyone. I just believe that in our good intentions we can lean towards a little legalism. Find rest in the grace and mercy that has been provided for us in our Saviour. And in all we do whether refrain from the theatre or we go. lets do it for the glory of God!

T

TMK Dec 20, 2015

Guess I better avert my eyes from looking at a Van Gogh painting. That guy was a sinner.

I can't buy a book from a bookstore because in so doing I am supporting a store that sells other non-Christian books. The same goes for any purchase I might make in any store. My purchase of toothpaste is supporting someone else's sin.

O

Oracio Dec 20, 2015

There's a big difference between purchasing things from the world that are necessary, such as food, clothing, etc., and buying things from the world for entertainment purposes, things that involve compromising biblical standards of morality or holiness. One is of necessity and the other is not, it's for entertainment.

Again I ask, would you go see a movie if you knew they were going to drag your mother's name through the dirt as a curse word?

T

TMK Dec 20, 2015

Oracio I hear people doing that many times every day in many places. We all know the world is corrupt.

The Van Gogh analogy is right on. People look at his paintings or any work of art for entertainment. Many artists, writers, etc lived sordid lives. Are their works to be shunned by Christians? If you think so, we are simply not on the same page but that's ok.

I know of no person who goes to a Star Wars movie to learn more about Buddhism. They go because of the epic storyline. Nor have I ever heard of a person who became a Buddhist because they watched Star Wars. Quite frankly I don't see Buddhism at all in any of the movies. That's a stretch.

J

JB1968 Dec 20, 2015

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" ( 2Cor. 6:17-18).

O

Oracio Dec 20, 2015

TMK, I would not break fellowship with you or any believer over this disagreement on this movie. That being said, I believe I am "at liberty" to express my opinion on it and denounce any "dark" aspects of it.

Respectfully, the Van Gogh analogy is not correct to use here because those paintings do not contain objectionable content in them (as far as I know), whereas this new film does contain that.

Also, there is a big difference between being forced to hear people use God's name as a curse word and paying to be entertained by such. The same goes for profanity in general. Many Christians pay to hear other types of wicked cussing, and to see all kinds of immorality which God's Word utterly condemns and commands us to have nothing to do with.

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."-Ephesians 5:11

Towards Buddhism, my point was that this whole thing of "The Force" has Buddhist and Hindu overtones and the evidence for that seems pretty clear and overwhelming I think (read my previous post dealing with that slowly and carefully :)).

N

narrowpath Dec 20, 2015

I think it is ok to refer to other stories or literature in preaching but using it to such an extent is an aberration.

I would not want to be facing God on judgment day and have to give an answer for such nonsense.

Man is fascinated about epic sagas. Hollywood preys on that making zillions of $s.

Fact is that the real battle for souls is infinitely more tragic.

M

MrBillPro Dec 20, 2015

Never got into Star Wars, but I do like Robert Duvall movies, Open Range, and Lonesome Dove two of my favorites, should I prepare myself to burn forever?

D

deltadom Dec 21, 2015

Chris Rosebrough in one of his interviews with atheists at how ineffective it is trying to mix worldly things with church.

http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2014/4/interview-with-unchurched-attendees-of-star-wars-easter-spectacle?rq=star%20wars

King James Bible
1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

King James Bible
Luke 16:15
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

People should realise this compromise never works and it makes.

It does not do well as it adds to the fact that atheists think we are stupid. When we have the amazing thing that jesus came down both fully god and fully man. It is so sad at Christmas with the historic aspect of the Nativity and that Christmas can be used.

What is wrong with the Scriptures that one has to resort to the works of evil men to attract people to the house of the LORD?

I agree